Things to Do in Louisiana This Weekend
Here's a roundup of Louisiana events and activities happening this weekend.
Blossoming azaleas and Cajun-spiced crawfish boils fill the air during the spring in Louisiana. Festivals celebrate just about anything under the sun — from music to food, frogs and more. Head to a local farm to pick your own fruits and veggies, paddle our bayous or try a new waterfront restaurant.
Easter Egg Hunts at Louisiana State Parks
March 28
Various
Head to a Louisiana state park or historic site this weekend for educational, family-friendly Easter egg hunts! At Longfellow Evangeline Historic Site, families can learn about Louisiana’s Easter traditions, hunt for eggs along the bayou and decorate their own. Lake Bistineau State Park hosts an egg hunt at the kids’ trail, with a morning story time from Bossier Parish Library. At Fairview-Riverside State Park, children under 10 can hunt for eggs around the grounds of the Otis House, and at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site, families will enjoy an egg hunt followed by 19th-century games.
Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival
March 25-29
New Orleans
Love the literature and luxury of the Jazz Age? Experience the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival, a five-day event held in the French Quarter that offers everything from poetry readings to panel discussions, theatre performances and cocktail parties. Don’t miss the beloved Stella Shouting Contest, a competition to see who can best yell one of the most famous lines from “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
Every literature-themed weekend deserves a bookstore trail. Start with the Garden District Book Shop, which is tucked into a former roller rink, before visiting Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Book Shop and Baldwin & Co.
Louisiana Crawfish Festival
March 26-29
Chalmette
The king of Louisiana crawfish events, the Louisiana Crawfish Festival features four days of non-stop fun. Enjoy live music from local bands like the NOLA Rouge Band, Petty Betty and Swampland Revival, and sample crawfish dishes from food vendors.
In Chalmette, discover small-town charm and rich history in spades. Explore the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve: Chalmette Battlefield, where you can enjoy a self-guided tour around the premises, complete with gorgeous views of the Mighty Mississippi.
Louisiana Moonshine Festival
March 27-28
Leesville
This family-friendly festival isn’t just about moonshine — it’s a celebration of Central Louisiana music, food, culture and yes, hooch. Meet master distillers, sample locally crafted moonshine and learn about the history of Louisiana’s Wild West at the Louisiana Moonshine Festival.
Drive just 20 miles south to DeRidder, home to the hauntingly beautiful (and reportedly haunted!) Gothic Jail. Grab a bite to eat along the way at one of the Gas Station Eats of No Man’s Land, featuring deep-fried Louisiana classics.
Learn more about Vernon Parish.
Holi Festival
March 28
Baton Rouge
Experience a kaleidoscopic celebration of Indian culture at Holi Festival in Baton Rouge. Holi, also called the Festival of Colors and the Festival of Love, is a Hindu holiday honoring the arrival of spring. At this annual fest, families can enjoy live music, Indian dance, henna art, face painting and the ceremonial throwing of vibrant colored powder.
Downtown, you’ll find Baton Rouge’s lively art scene. The Baton Rouge Gallery showcases contemporary works, like can’t-miss photography, sculptures and stained-glass exhibitions.
Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie
March 28
Houma
Think you can toss barrels better than a Cajun? Wade on down to the bayou for the esteemed Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie. Enjoy plenty of freshly butchered pork and white beans from local vendors, and, once you’ve had your fill, kick back to some live music. Festival-goers can also join duck calling, nail driving and barrel tossing competitions.
Want to spend more time in the great outdoors? Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 4,000 acres of freshwater marsh, swamp and man-made canals, attracting thousands of migratory birds from around the country — perfect for adding rare species to your field journal.
The Pioneer and Heritage Festival
March 28
Merryville
Walk in the footsteps of some of Louisiana’s earliest settlers at the Pioneer and Heritage Festival in Merryville. Shop local vendors, watch historical demonstrations, enjoy live music and explore the Historic Burks Log Cabin.
Extend your trip with a self-guided tour down the Myths and Legends Byway, based on true accounts, tall tales and stories somewhere in between. Stops include DeRidder’s Gothic Jail and the Talbert-Pierson Cemetery.
World Championship Crawfish Étouffée
March 28
Eunice
A smoky, nutty roux and savory, slow-cooked Cajun Trinity lend depth to silky étouffée — and we’re here for it. At the Annual World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-Off, eat as much of the Creole dish as you desire — but don’t forget to vote for your favorite.
If étouffée isn’t enough, swing by Bayou Teche Brewing in nearby Arnaudville. Enjoy craft beer, premium cocktails and wood-fired pizza from one of the most Cajun breweries down South.
Learn more about St. Landry Parish.
Azalea Trail
Spring
Lafayette
Have a sunny day to spare? Explore Lafayette’s fuchsia-lined Azalea Trail. Spot the vibrant Southern perennial, which is typically in bloom from March through May, along 20 miles of historic neighborhoods.
Whether you're an outdoor adventurer, music lover or just crave good food, Louisiana is filled with opportunities to #FeedYourSoul. Check our events calendar for more festivities.
